Mich. Admin. Code R. § R 125.102
Definitions; D to G.
Operative Text
Rule 102. As used in these rules: (a) "Development fund grant" means a grant that is authorized by the authority, and is to be made to an applicant authorized by the act to receive a grant from the housing development fund created by the act. (b) "Development fund loan" means a loan that is authorized by the authority, and is to be made from the housing development fund created by the act. (c) "Dwelling unit" means living accommodations within a housing project that are intended for occupancy by a single household. (d) "Executive director" means the executive director or an individual acting within this capacity employed by the authority who is the chief administrative officer of the authority. (e) "Existing housing unit" means a housing unit that has been occupied before the issuance of a commitment by the authority. (f) "Family" means 2 or more individuals living together not contrary to law. (g) "Feasible housing project" means a proposed housing project that the authority has determined can reasonably be expected to be successfully constructed on the proposed site within cost limitations acceptable to the authority and can reasonably be expected to be operated in a fiscally sound manner, within authority parameters. (h) "Gross income," for determining eligibility, means all income derived from whatever source, as follows: (i) In computing gross income, all the income of the members of the household, other than minors, living in the same dwelling unit and contributing to the expenses of the household is to be considered. Gross income must be computed without deduction for the following: (A) Funds paid into a tax shelter retirement account. (B) Losses attributable to a farming syndicate as described in section 464 of the internal revenue code, 26 USC 464. (C) Losses attributable to any type of corporation or partnership engaged in exploring for or exploiting oil and gas resources. (D) Losses attributable to any type of corporation or partnership engaged in equipment leasing. (E) Losses attributable to any type of corporation or partnership engaged in holding, producing, or distributing motion picture films or video tapes. (F) Child support payments made by an applicant for the benefit of the applicant's child or children. (G) Alimony, separate maintenance, or similar periodic payments that an applicant is required to make to a spouse or former spouse. (ii) Gross income includes all of the following: (A) The gross amount, before any payroll deductions, of wages; salaries; all overtime earnings in excess of $4,000.00 per annum; commissions; fees; tips; bonuses; gambling winnings; and prizes won, except for Michigan lottery winnings and prizes. (B) The net income from the operation of a business or profession or from the rental of real or personal property. For this purpose, if the operation results in a loss, the loss may not be used to offset income generated from other sources. For this purpose, any shareholder that owns 10% or more of any outstanding class of stock in a corporation is deemed to have received income in its proportionate share of net earnings not otherwise distributed in salaries or dividends. (C) All dividends and interest, including otherwise tax-exempt interest. (D)The full amount of periodic payments received from social security, housing assistance payments, annuities, insurance policies, retirement funds, pensions, disability or death benefits, and other similar types of periodic receipts. (E) Payments in place of earnings, such as unemployment and disability compensation, worker's compensation, and severance pay. (F) The full amount of public assistance payments. (G) Periodic and determinable allowances, such as alimony and separate maintenance payments received, housing allowances received, and regular contributions or gifts received from individuals who do not reside in the dwelling, if such sums are received on a recurrent basis and if such sums may be reasonably expected to continue. (H) The distributive share of partnership income. (I) All capital gains. (J) Child support payments received by an applicant for the benefit of the applicant's child or children. (iii) Gross income does not include any of the following: (A) Casual, sporadic, or irregular gifts. (B) Amounts that are specifically for, or in reimbursement of, the cost of medical expenses. (C) Lump sum additions to household assets, such as inheritances; insurance payments, including payments under health and accident insurance; worker's compensation; and settlements for personal or property losses. (D) Amounts of educational scholarships paid directly to the student or to the educational institution, and veterans administration schooling benefits. (E) Foster childcare payments. (F) The value of coupon allotments for the purchase of food pursuant to the food and nutrition act of 2008, 7 USC 2011 to 2036d, which is in excess of the amount actually charged the eligible household. (G) Overtime earnings of $4,000.00 or less per annum. History: 1979 AC; 1982 AACS; 1985 AACS; 1986 AACS; 1991 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2023 AACS.
Rule 102 of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) General Rules, Mich. Admin. Code R. 125.102, establishes the foundational definitions used throughout the MSHDA regulatory framework. Among the most consequential is the detailed definition of 'gross income,' which specifies exactly which income sources are counted, excluded, or treated in a particular way when determining a household's eligibility for housing programs. The rule also defines key terms such as 'dwelling unit,' 'family,' 'feasible housing project,' and the various types of authority-backed financial instruments, setting the interpretive baseline for all related rules.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers participating in MSHDA-funded or MSHDA-administered housing programs should be familiar with the definitions established in R. 125.102, as these terms govern how eligibility determinations are made for prospective and current tenants. The 'gross income' definition is particularly detailed: compliant operators generally apply the full enumerated list of includable income sources—such as wages before payroll deductions, social security payments, and capital gains—while correctly excluding items like casual gifts, medical reimbursements, and overtime earnings of $4,000 or less per year. Accurate application of these definitions helps ensure that tenant eligibility certifications align with MSHDA's requirements and that housing assistance is directed to qualifying households.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants applying for or living in housing supported by MSHDA programs should understand that R. 125.102 defines the terms used to assess their eligibility, including a detailed breakdown of what counts as 'gross income.' Notably, certain income sources—such as child support payments made by an applicant, alimony paid out, and overtime earnings of $4,000 or less annually—are not counted against an applicant, while other sources like social security, public assistance, and capital gains are included. Tenants who believe their income was calculated incorrectly under these definitions may wish to review the rule directly, consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with MSHDA programs, or inquire with the relevant housing authority about the appeals or review process.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.
Related Rules
Source Information
Use this in your app
Access this data programmatically via our API